GROUP NO(6)

Physical chemistry: lab report

1. Introduction
In this experiment the rate of reaction between sucrose and water catalyzed by a hydrogen ion is
followed by measuring the angle of rotation of polarized light passing through the solution. The
angle of rotation of polarized light passing through the solution is measured using a polarized
beam of He-Ne laser and a polarizer. The reaction is:

C12H22O11(sucrose) + H2O + H+ C6H12O6(fructose) + C6H 12O6(glucose) + H+

Sucrose is dextrarotatory but the resulting mixture of glucose and fructose is slightly
levorotatory because the levorotatory fructose has a greater molar rotation than the
dextrorotatory glucose. As the sucrose is used up and the glucose-fructose mixture is formed, the
angle of rotation to the right (as the observer looks in the direction opposite to that of the light
propagation) reduces until the light is rotated to the left.
The reaction of sucrose hydrolysis can be catalyzed not only by hydrogen ions but also by
enzymes (for example by -fructofuranidase). The basic mechanism for enzyme catalyzed
reactions was first proposed Michaelis and Menten in 1913 and was confirmed by a study of the
kinetics of the sucrose hydrolysis.

1.1. What do you need to know

1. Polarized light (linear and circular).

2. Optical activity.

3. Chemical Kinetics.

4. Specific rotation.

3. Optically active compounds

Two compounds are called isomers if they have the same molecular formula but different
chemical structures. Optical isomers are those in which two compounds have not only the same
molecular formula but also identical bonding connections between the various atoms. A pair of
optical isomers remain distinct from each other, however, because they are nonsuperimposable
mirror images of each other. One optical isomer cannot be superimposed on the other, just as
your left hand cannot be superimposed on your right hand. Compounds that exist as optical
isomers are frequently referred to as chiral compounds, and each member of a pair of optical
isomers is named an enantiomer. Molecules such as H2O and CH4, which do not exist as
nonsuperimposable pairs, are called achiral.

4. Subject of Chemical Kinetics

Chemical kinetics, a topic in several chemistry courses, illustrates the connection between
mathematics and chemistry. Chemical kinetics deals with chemistry experiments and interprets
them in terms of a mathematical model. The experiments are performed on chemical reactions as
they proceed with time. The models are differential equations for the rates at which reactants are
consumed and products are produced. By combining models with experiments, chemists are able
to understand how chemical reactions take place at the molecular level.

5.Equipment and Supplies

Hydrochloric acid (4 and 6 Molar), Sucrose, Sodium lamp, Polarimeter, Jacketed polarimeter
tube, Volumetric flasks (100 mL), Graduated cylinders (25 mL), Constant temperature bath,
Deionized H2O.

6.Procedure

The sodium lamp should be turned on at the beginning of the lab and positioned on the lab
bench. The lamp takes 20-30 minutes to warm up, so this should be done first. Turn on the water
bath and adjust the temperature appropriately, connecting a hose from the outlet of the constant
temperature bath to one end of the jacketed polarimeter tube. Connect another hose to the other
end of the tube so that the flow of the water can return to the constant temperature bath. A
100mL solution of 4 M HCl should be prepared. Place the flask in the constant temperature bath,
securing it with a clamp and ring stand. A 100mL solution of 0.200 g/mL sucrose should be
prepared. Place the flask in the constant temperature bath, securing it with a clamp and ring
stand.

After the apparatus has had time to equilibrate, rinse the polarimeter tube first with deionized
water, then with the sucrose solution. Fill the polarimeter tube with the sucrose solution and take
an initial reading on the polarimeter. This will be taken as time = 0. Again, rinse the polarimeter
tube with deionized water.

Remove the two flasks containing the 4M HCl and the sucrose solution from the constant
temperature bath. Separately measure 25mL of each solution into two 50mL graduated cylinders.
Mix the solutions in the graduated cylinders, at the same time starting the stopwatch. Mix the
solution three or four times, then rinse the polarimeter tube with the mixture. Fill the polarimeter
tube with the mixture, being sure to clear all bubbles from the tube. This can be done by slowly
tilting the tube back and forth until all the bubbles float out.

Begin taking time readings after ten minutes for the 4 M solution, and continue taking readings
every 10 minutes for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes begin taking 5 minute intervals readings as
long as time permits. Begin taking readings for the 6M solution after 5 minutes and continue
taking readings in 5 minute intervals as long as time permits. Leave the solution in the
polarimeter at the end of lab and the final reading will be at time infinity, which should be
approximately two days following the experiment.

7.Observations and calculations

Pure Sucrose (20g --> 100mL H2O)= 0.56497mol/L or M

4M HCl
Time Rotation Concentration of sucrose log (C1-C2) Rate of Reaction
(Min) ( (M) (M) (1/min)
10 8.00 0.36 -0.88 -0.01
20 4.51 0.23 -1.08 -0.01
30 2.42 0.15 -1.53 -0.02
35 1.76 0.12 -1.63 -0.02
40 0.56 0.094 -1.72 -0.02
45 -0.08 0.075 -1.82 -0.02
50 -0.68 0.060 -1.92 -0.02
55 -0.92 0.048 -2.02 -0.02
60 -1.44 0.038 -2.11 -0.02
65 -1.52 0.031 -2.21 -0.02
70 -1.58 0.025 -2.31 -0.02
75 -2.06 0.020 -2.40 -0.02
80 -2.88 0.016 -2.50 -0.02
85 -2.84 0.013 -2.60 -0.02
90 -2.96 0.010 -2.70 -0.02
95 -3.18 0.0080 -2.79 -0.02
100 -3.18 0.0064 -2.19 -0.03
-3.92 0 -0.03

6M HCl
Rotation Concentration of sucrose log (C1-C2) Rate of Reaction
Time(Min)
( (M) (M) (1/min)
5 5.60 0.37 -0.89 -0.02
10 2.48 0.24 -1.08 -0.03
15 -0.02 0.16 -1.26 -0.04
20 -1.36 0.10 -1.45 -0.04
25 -2.22 0.066 -1.64 -0.04
30 -2.36 0.043 -1.82 -0.04
35 -2.80 0.028 -2.01 -0.05
40 -3.33 0.018 -2.19 -0.05
45 -3.52 0.012 -2.38 -0.05
50 -3.54 0.008 -2.57 -0.05
55 -3.74 0.005 -2.75 -0.05
60 -3.98 0.0033 -2.94 -0.05
65 -3.96 0.0022 -3.12 -0.05
70 -4.02 0.0014 -3.31 -0.05
75 -3.98 0.00091 -3.50 -0.05
80 -3.86 0.00060 -0.05
 -3.96 0 -0.05

The following k values used to determine the rate of reaction where calculated using equation
(5). The k value calculations are shown below.

4M HCl @ 50 min.

k=2.303/50 min*log((26.56+3.92)/(-0.68+3.92))

k=0.04606*log(30.48/3.24)=0.044838026 1/min

6M HCl @ 50 min.

k=2.303/50min*log((26.56+3.96)/(-3.54+3.96))

k=0.04606*log(30.52/0.42)=0.085695874 1/min

C=Coe-kt

C1=Coe-kt

C2=Coe-k(t+t)

C1-C2=C0e-kt(1-e-kt)

log (C1-C2)=-kt/2.303 +log [Co(1-e-kt)]

This is why the slope of the plot, log(C1-C2) vs. Time is -k/2.303.

=ac+b

C1-C2=(1-2)/a

log(1-2)=-kt/2.303+log[a Co(1-e-kt)]

8.Discussion

The concentration of sucrose as it decomposes over time was determined

experimentally by using the first order rate equation as given in the introduction. It
was determined that sucrose does indeed decompose over time by hydrolysis giving
two products, which are optically active. When plotting log(C 1-C2) vs. Time the slope
of the line equals -k/2.303, therefore leading to =ac+b where C1-C2=(1-2)/a,
log(1-2)=

-kt/2.303+log[aC0(1-exp(-kt)].

Figures

9.Bibliography:
J. H. Reeves and A. M. Halpern, "Experimental Physical Chemistry,"
Scott, Foresman/Little, 1988.